Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Blaye

The Citadelle de Blaye, seen from the ferry, crossing the Gironde.

There are variants of the "Via Turonensis". I had decided to cross the Gironde in Blaye and continue the "chemin" on the other side. The rain had stopped over night. When I waited for the ferry, the sun was out.

The more I travelled - the more I loved launderettes, especially, when I am walking. There is a relaxing hour to spend at least, waiting for the washing machine and another half an hour to listen to the dryer... And after that all the stuff is clean and has a nice smell.

In "De Bello Gallico" Julius Caesar mentions "Blavia Santorum", what developed into a fortified place in Roman times. Within the 4th century a basilica was built on the rocky promontory, in 625 a Merovingian castle existed here. Legendary Roland, nephew and paladin of Charlemagne, the owner of the sword Durendal (see "Rocamadour"), who got killed at the Battle of Roncevaux, was Lord of Blaye. The Basilica Saint-Romain was a major halt for all medieval pilgrims, but the basilica (and hundreds of houses) got destroyed, when the citadelle was built by Vauban in the 17th century. The Gironde, seen from the citadelle, on a rainy day.

In "De Bello Gallico" Julius Caesar mentions "Blavia Santorum", what developed into a fortified place in Roman times. Within the 4th century a basilica was built on the rocky promontory, in 625 a Merovingian castle existed here. Legendary Roland, nephew and paladin of Charlemagne, the owner of the sword Durendal (see "Rocamadour"), who got killed at the Battle of Roncevaux, was Lord of Blaye. The Basilica Saint-Romain was a major halt for all medieval pilgrims, but the basilica (and hundreds of houses) got destroyed, when the citadelle was built by Vauban in the 17th century. Inside the citadelle was a convent of the Order of Minims, founded by Francis of Paola and known in Bavaria for the "Paulaner Beer". The monks had a nice cloister. The beer is here: www.paulaner.com/

In "De Bello Gallico" Julius Caesar mentions "Blavia Santorum", what developed into a fortified place in Roman times. Within the 4th century a basilica was built on the rocky promontory, in 625 a Merovingian castle existed here. Legendary Roland, nephew and paladin of Charlemagne, the owner of the sword Durendal (see "Rocamadour"), who got killed at the Battle of Roncevaux, was Lord of Blaye. The Basilica Saint-Romain was a major halt for all medieval pilgrims, but the basilica (and hundreds of houses) got destroyed, when the citadelle was built by Vauban in the 17th century. There are different variants of the "Via Turonensis" all leading to Bordeaux. I had decided to cross the Gironde here by the ferry next day - and hoped for better weather.

A forgotten baker shop in Blaye. Behind every single given-up shop is a tragedy. Walking through the countryside in France, I came across lots of these. For a while, I pondered, whether I should buy these old signs - to save them.

A summer evening in Blaye. From the top of the fortress (planned by Vauban), once important for the safety of the harbour in Bordeaux, tourists have a wonderful view over Gironde. The fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site today. Later I had a bottle of Premieres Cotes de Blaye.